Early Childhood / Pre-Kindergarten

Detroit Public Schools Community District Foundation for Early Learners provides a high quality early learning experience for special needs and general education students 4 years old by September 1st or December 1st of the current school year, depending on the program.

The Early Childhood Programs are comprised of two prekindergarten programs: the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) and Title I. Students selected for the Great Start Readiness Program must meet income guidelines. The selection process for Title I students are selected on the needs of the school community and Detroit residency.

The Recruitment, Enrollment and Selection Process

The recruitment, eligibility and selection of prekindergarten children and their families for Early Childhood programs within the Detroit Public Schools is an ongoing process throughout the school year. In order to become eligible for Detroit Public Schools Prekindergarten Program, a child must be 4 years old by September 1st or December 1st of the current school year, depending on the program.

Documentation Needed for Application Process

This information is needed to determine eligibility:

Birth Certificate

Proof of Income (W-2, Pay Stubs, Public Assistance documents, etc.)

Completed Child Application Form

Proof of Disability (if applicable)

Current Immunization

Proof of Residency

Great Start Readiness Program

The Great Start Readiness Program is a state-funded prekindergarten program for four-year-old children with factors which may place them at risk of educational failure. The program is sponsored by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and administered by Wayne RESA. Class size is to 16 to 18 students, meets four days per week and the program provides educational, health, social work, mental health and parent involvement services.

Who qualifies?

In addition to the age requirement, all children must also meet GSRP Risk Factors:

Extremely low family income

Low family income

Diagnosed disability or identified developmental delay

Severe or challenging behavior

Primary home language other than English

Parent with low educational attainment

Teenage Pregnancy

Abuse/neglect of child or parent, environmental risk

Title I

The Title I Program is a state-funded prekindergarten program for four-year-old children who are eligible for prekindergarten. Title 1 prekindergarten programs provide young children with the early learning experiences that will enable them to meet academic standards throughout elementary and secondary school. Research has consistently shown that children in poverty lag behind their more affluent counterparts in academic achievement. One of the purposes of Title 1 is to narrow and eventually eliminate this gap. The program meets four days per week and class size is limited to 16 students.

Head Start partnership

Thanks to a new partnership with Southwest Solutions, Detroit parents will have access to slots for three and four-year-olds in 12 classrooms in four Detroit Public Schools Community District buildings.

Vanessa Garcia and her daughter Damaris at the Thrive by Five Earhart Elementary-Middle School site. Photo credit: Steve Palackdharry

Southwest Solutions is funding these 12 classrooms using Head Start and/or Great Start Readiness Program funds. The classrooms are located in these schools in southwest Detroit:

Durfee Elementary-Middle School offers three (3) Head Start classes.

Earhart Elementary-Middle School offers two (2) Head Start classes and one (1) Head Start/GSRP class.

Mark Twain School for Scholars offers two (2) Head Start classes.

Phoenix Elementary-Middle School offers four (4) Head Start classes.

Southwest Solutions is actively recruiting eligible families for its Birth to Five sites. For more information, parents should contact (313) 896-2800 ext. 6432.